The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026, making the significant decision to close two primary schools: Albury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School and St Nicholas Elstree Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, both with effect from 31 August 2026. The Cabinet also approved capital spending of £18.53 million for new school places to serve the Gilston development and adopted the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Closure of Albury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Cabinet approved the statutory proposal to close Albury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School¹ on 31 August 2026. The decision was based on persistently low and falling pupil numbers, a lack of future demand, and the resulting educational and financial risks. Despite 96% of respondents objecting during the public consultation and over 98% during the statutory period, the Cabinet noted that popular support alone cannot make a school viable when pupil numbers are insufficient. Arguments against closure included the school's Good Ofsted rating² and its importance to the village community. However, the council highlighted that funding is largely per-pupil, leading to budget reductions, reduced staffing flexibility, and difficulties in maintaining educational quality without ongoing local authority subsidy, which cannot be sustained indefinitely. Support will be provided to all affected children and staff.

Closure of St Nicholas Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Elstree

Similarly, Cabinet approved the statutory proposal to close St Nicholas Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School³ on 31 August 2026. This decision was also driven by persistently low pupil numbers, significant surplus capacity, and the impact on educational quality and financial viability. The school has capacity for 210 pupils but currently has only 46. Despite 130 out of 138 responses objecting to the closure, the Cabinet cited the duty to ensure a stable, high-quality educational experience for pupils across the county. Concerns were raised about the community impact and the loss of a village school, but these were balanced against the financial and educational sustainability arguments. Support will be provided to affected pupils and staff.

New School Places for Gilston Development

Cabinet agreed to authorise capital budget approvals for two new primary schools to serve the Gilston Garden Town development⁴. A 3FE⁵ primary school in Village 1 will receive £18.53 million, funded potentially through the Housing Investment Grant (HIG) or Section 106 developer contributions. A further £18.53 million is approved for a primary school in Village 7, funded by Section 106 contributions. Funding from Section 106 contributions will be allocated to both Village 1 and Village 7 primary schools as funding is received. The final contract values for both schemes will be delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services & Education, in consultation with the Director of Finance and relevant Executive Members. Cabinet also noted that a competition will be run to select a School Trust to operate the new schools. This decision provides flexibility to deliver the first primary school in either Village 1 or Village 7, depending on the actual build timelines and the location of the first house occupations.

Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

Cabinet formally adopted the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan⁶. This plan identifies key walking and cycling routes and the necessary infrastructure improvements to encourage modal shift towards active travel. The plan focuses on Hemel Hempstead, Tring, and Berkhamsted, areas with the greatest potential for increased walking and cycling. The adoption of the LCWIP will support the delivery of proposed schemes, enable bids for Department for Transport funding, and help secure developer contributions. The plan was developed in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council⁷ and incorporated feedback from extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation, with over 400 responses received.

Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy Work Plan

Cabinet approved the Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan⁸, which outlines key focus areas to support the achievement of the refreshed Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy's ambitions. The strategy, which aligns with the Corporate Plan, introduces guiding principles for integrating sustainability across all council activities. The work plan aims to embed these principles across the organisation, with key outcomes including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and greater climate resilience. The plan will be delivered through collaboration with various partners, including district and borough councils, health services, and community groups.

Hertfordshire County Council Performance Monitor Q3 2025-26

Cabinet noted the Hertfordshire County Council Performance report for the third quarter of the financial year 2025-26⁹. The report indicated encouraging progress across the council's five corporate plan priorities. Highlights included positive performance in children's services, with improvements in the percentage of children looked after in Hertfordshire and a reduction in permanent exclusions. Highways also showed progress, with 82% of Integrated Works Programme (IWP) schemes delivered and £10 million secured for Active Travel. The report also noted the planting of 128,000 trees and the launch of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Future of Land at Highfield Farm, Tyttenhanger

Cabinet agreed to declare the land at Highfield Farm, Tyttenhanger¹⁰ surplus to requirements and available for disposal. The site, comprising vacant land and redundant barns, is no longer required for county council service delivery. The decision delegates the agreement of the terms of disposal to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance.

Future of the Former Bill Everett Centre, Watford

Cabinet agreed to declare the Former Bill Everett Centre in Watford¹¹ surplus to requirements and available for disposal. The site, which has been held as a reserve school site for many years, is no longer expected to be required for educational use within the next decade. The disposal terms will be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance. This delegation includes finalising agreements with Watford Borough Council regarding their historic land interests and the distribution of proceeds.

Future of Secure Tenancies

Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Executive Member for Resources and Performance, to agree the terms of the disposal of the council's 35 secure tenancies. These tenancies are non-operational and not required for service delivery. The council is not a housing authority, and an audit in 2018 recommended closing the residential Staff Housing Pool. The engagement process indicated that tenants are cautiously optimistic about a transfer, provided their tenancy security, rent levels, and repairs and maintenance services are protected and improved.

Approval of the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) 2025-2029

Cabinet approved the new Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) 2025-2029¹². This plan sets out a bold four-year vision for optimising the council's land and property assets to maximise value, improve services, enable housing delivery and economic opportunity, cut carbon, and create attractive workplaces. The SAMP aligns with the new Corporate Plan and is guided by seven core principles, including supporting services and communities, optimising assets, ensuring fitness for purpose, enabling collaboration, unlocking growth, maximising financial value, and driving sustainability. The plan will be refreshed annually to ensure priorities remain relevant.